Slender and zigzag, nearly black in color, spotted with lighter lenticels, leaf buds are tiny and dark red to chestnut in color; flowers buds are round and often numerous in large clusters on older woody stems.
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Bark:

Initially smooth and brown; later ridged and furrowed to scaly and dark gray; may have some maroon patches evident and orange in the cracks.
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Form:

A large shrub or small tree up to 30 feet with a short, often twisted trunk and spreading branches.
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Source:

College of Natural Resource Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
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